"Shelf Queen 2025 GB" - 1:32nd scale Phonix C.I

[kensar]

Wow, what a train wreck!

[Mike Norris (UK)]

Hi all,
The only model I have ever shelved is the 1:32nd scale KatModel Phonix C.1.
I bought it back in 2023 when it was first released.
I shelved the model as it proved too troublesome, for various quality and detail reasons.

However, while I wait for 'Flying Bears' Thulin K to arrive from Sweden, I thought I'd have another go at the Phonix.

I've replaced most of the external details and am currently building the cockpit from scratch.
The only part used from the 3D printed cockpit assembly is the floor.
Everything else was removed and/or replaced.
I'll post progress shots soon,

Mike   

[Mike Norris (UK)]

Hi all,
Apart from what I've previously mentioned, here's more that has had to be addressed:

No instructions or decals supplied.
Resin cast upper wing halves - warped, over scale access panels, no underside details, trailing edges thick, missing detail.
Resin cast lower wings - warped, trailing edges thick, no support into the fuselage.
3D printed ailerons - warped, no control horns, no aileron hinge attachment points in upper wing.
Rudder - no control horns.
Elevator - no fuselage control horn.
3D printed upper wing centre section - Incorrect top panel, no underside detail at all, over scale detail, missing detail
3D printed tail plane - warped, trailing edges thick, no control horns.
Cockpit - virtual rebuild from floor, rudder bar, control wheel, no internal detail or equipment.
Cockpit decking panel - incorrect shaped pilots cockpit opening, thick sides, observers gun ring, incorrect machine gun, lightening holes missing in fairing sides.
Landing gear - axle end too short to attach wheels fully, struts over size and round, claw brake not correct and a missing step bar..
Engine - propeller shaft too short to mount propeller, engine support required, no radiator to wing pipes supplied.
Propeller - rectangular cross section.
Engine access panels - fasteners, hatches and panels over scale, incorrect panel right side.
Fuselage - hatches over scale, some missing others not located correctly, no external compass housing.

Now I need to address the wing struts:

Interplane struts, which are 3D printed with no internal support rod, weak, some warped and rectangular cross section (not aerofoil).
Side cabane struts, which are 3D printed, thin and very weak.
Rear cabane struts missing.

Maybe soon I can thick about building this 'kit' 

Mike

[NigelR]

Boy, you like a challenge.......

[Mike Norris (UK)]

Hi all,
Here's some progress shots of the kit parts after priming.
I won't go into details of what needed to be straightened, deleted, added or modified.
Suffice to say it's taken a while to get to this stage.
Everything done and why will be detailed in my PDF build log on completion,

Mike

[NigelR]

A real silk purse on the horizon here Mike! Great work.

[Allan31]

Wow.......just, wow.....

[Mike Norris (UK)]

Hi all,
I've prepared the fuselage internal parts ready for construction.
Wood effects done with ?Windsor & Newton? Griffin Alkyd oil paint (Burnt Umber).

The kit does not supply any decals or fuselage internal equipment parts. The following are either purchased, scratch made or from my 'spares' collection:
Decals from ?Airscale? generic WW1 dials (AS32 WW1) and spares.
Photo-etch seat belts (spares).
Cockpit equipment (spares).
?GasPatch? un-jacketed Schwarzlose 07-12 machine gun (17-32112).

The engine is very basic as only the top of the cylinders are visible on the finished model.
Some of the side detail on the 3D printed engine had to be removed (not visible anyway) to allow the engine side access panels to fit.
For ease, the ignition leads are attached to the bottom of the engine cylinders as that area can't be seen with engine side access panels fitted.
The engine still needs to be modified to fit the three radiator coolant pipes to the underside of the upper wing (not supplied in the kit).

So now moving towards assembling the fuselage at last,

Mike

[NigelR]

You deserve a medal of some sorts for this one! Loving the wood effect, and overall fantastic progress.

[Dirigible-Al]

I agree, that's really great work.
Alan.

[Allan31]

Amazing that we spend good money on a kit that isn't a kit yet and we have to finish what the manufacturer should have done.
After seeing this wrestling going on, I will not grumble about my Eduard Pup again....

[Mike Norris (UK)]

Hi all,
The cockpit is now complete.
Just about everything has had to be either modified, replaced or scratch made.

I still need to weather and clear coat the surfaces.
Then it's onto creating the coolant pipes needed before I can fit the engine,

Mike

[Borsos]

Very Impressive. It really likes as if you had to make a lot of dust getting to this point.

[NigelR]

This really is a testament to your top notch modelling skills Mike. The closed cockpit looks fantastic.

[Mike Norris (UK)]

Hi all,
The aircraft had three pipes that connected the engine coolant system to the radiator, mounted on the upper wing.
No surprise that these pipes are not supplied in the kit.
Therefore they were made from 'Albion Alloy's' Brass rod and tubes of various diameters.
The engine ends were annealed then formed and the wing ends will be formed once the upper wing is fitted,

Mike